Taking care of your feet is always important, but it is even more crucial when living with diabetes. Diabetes can cause nerve damage or loss of feeling in the feet. So, if you were to cut or injure your foot you likely may not feel it, which increases the risk of infection and complications. In extreme cases, nerve damage can cause your feet and toes to change shape, making your day-to-day shoes painfully unwearable.
Diabetics must pay extra attention to their feet if their condition worsens, making their foot more prone to infection. To make things easier, our team of specialists at Physicians Footcare has put together a few foot care tips to implement into your routine.
Daily Foot Hygiene
An effective daily routine is a simple yet vital part of diabetic foot care. Clean and moisturized feet are less likely to become infected. A daily routine is a simple foot solution that will strengthen and protect the skin, making day-to-day activities less painful.
Start your routine by washing your feet with warm water and soap. Be careful not to use hot water as it will dry out the skin making your feet prone to cracking and itchiness. After washing your feet, be sure to thoroughly dry them, do not forget in between your toes!
Next is to trim your toenails, as the nail is soft and will be easier to manage. Trim your toenails straight across with scissors or toenail clippers. Be sure not to cut corners, this will cause ingrown toenails which are painful and will affect mobility. Once you finish trimming, use an emery board to file the nails to stop them from splintering.
The final step is to use a foot lotion to moisturize the clean skin. The lotion will lock in moisture, and keep the skin from cracking. Try to avoid putting the lotion in between your toes as excess moisture in this area can lead to fungal infections. This is also a great time to massage, which will get the blood moving and increase circulation in the area. Last, try putting on a comfortable sock to lock in moisture and prevent injury as you are more likely to slip after applying the lotion.
Choose the Right Footwear
Footwear is crucial to foot care and is even more important for individuals living with diabetes. As diabetes can change the shape of your foot, it is important to find well-fitting shoes that provide arch support and decrease pain while walking. If your shoes pinch or rub the foot painfully, it's time to ask your doctor about therapeutic shoes or inserts.
Comfortable footwear should be worn at all times. Try not to go barefoot as, with diabetic nerve damage, you are likely to not notice when you have stepped on something sharp. Slippers and moisture-wicking socks are a great alternative to going barefoot indoors.
Schedule Regular Foot Exams
Individuals living with diabetes should schedule regular foot exams to monitor foot and ankle injuries. Have a podiatrist or your healthcare provider examine your foot to ensure there are no signs of cuts, blisters, or infection. These symptoms are easy to miss as they can be difficult to see. You also may not feel pain related to the injury if you have started to lose feeling in your feet.
If you have noticed a cut or ulcer on the foot that is not healing, or are experiencing numbness in your feet contact your doctor right away.
Maintain Your Overall Health
Promoting overall health and wellness will positively impact the condition of your feet. Consult with your diabetic care team to create a plan that is best suited for your lifestyle. Protect the health of your feet by controlling the things that cause poor blood circulation and nerve damage.
While promoting a healthy lifestyle, it is crucial to maintain proper blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels as this will slow and prevent the effects of nerve damage in the feet. Monitoring these conditions will prevent blood vessel problems that often lead to foot complications.
Smoking is another factor to manage, as the habit decreases circulation, which will lead to other problems down the road. All these factors can be managed by following your care provider's advice.
The easiest way to increase circulation is through exercise. Regular physical activity will get your blood moving, stimulating blood flow in the legs and feet. Walking is a great option in this case as it is low-impact and gets the job done.
All exercises should be done in sturdy, properly fitting shoes. Be sure they have good arch support, as it will help to make exercise pain-free and enjoyable. Most importantly, be mindful of the condition of your feet, if you have open wounds or sores wait for those to heal before exercise.
Prevent Complications Through Foot Care
For individuals living with diabetes, proper foot care is essential in preventing complications and increasing overall quality of life. Be proactive with a daily routine, supportive footwear, and regular exams as they are essential to the overall health and condition of your feet.
If you have questions about diabetic foot care or foot care tips please contact one of our offices. We have seventeen different locations in South Carolina and Georgia, and our board-certified podiatrists are happy to answer any questions you may have.
